The rate in Duval County dropped from 8 percent in January to 7.5 percent in February, which is below the state and national average.

The unemployment rate also dropped in nine of 10 other northeast Florida counties. (See bottom of story for county outlooks).

Florida Gov. Rick Scott successfully campaigned on creating 700,000 new jobs in Florida over a seven-year span and has made that the primary issue of his administration.

The Department of Economic Opportunity reported Friday that 128,100 jobs have been added in Florida over the past year with the leisure and hospitality industry leading the way with more than 41,000 new jobs.

Michael Osbourn, who's wife has been unemployed for months, keeps telling to keep trying and not give up. He said he's encouraged by Friday's news from the governor that job creation in Florida is working.

The governor announced that Nassau County leads the way in declining unemployment rates, followed by Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties, which are also moving in the right direction.

"We've been seeing incredible volume, especially over the last few weeks. We're seeing some doors open," said Amy McGeorge, CEO of Talagy.

McGeorge says new construction in Amelia Island is filling hundreds of jobs in Nassau County. And in Clay County, the health care industry is putting people back to work. As for Duval County, there is improvement in several areas.

"Sales, sales, sales. Anyone who is bringing money to the top line, absolutely growing like crazy," McGeorge said. "And then technology jobs. There are so many technology jobs available in Duval and the surrounding areas."

McGeorge says employment in the technology industry is also thriving in St. Johns County. And she points to an industrial area near Baptist Medical Center South, where engineering firms are hiring again.

Byron Holcomb says he's noticed salaries aren't what they used to be before the recession. And some still looking for a job say the competition is fierce.